Connaught Place roof collapse: NDMC finally swings into action

NEW DELHI: New Delhi Municipal Council has issued orders for all occupants of a building in Connaught Place to vacate the premises after the roof of the second floor collapsed on August 11. The order dated August 26 gives the occupants three days to move out from the date of issuance of the letter.

On August 27, almost two weeks after the roof collapse at Regal Building, TOI had reported that no concrete action had been taken by the authorities, jeopardising the safety of occupants and people around the building.The debris from the collapse hadn’t been removed till then either.
The NDMC order states, “All occupants of premises no. 63 (second floor) and adjoining premises will vacate the building within three days of issuance of notice”. It adds that non-compliance will attract action under Section 250 of the NDMC Act.
Mohit Singla, director of Indraesh Builders Pvt Ltd, the name under which that portion of Regal Building is registered, told TOI on Wednesday, “One of the occupants received the vacation order on August 31. Hopefully, some action will be taken now. We got a call from NDMC today about clearing the debris, but we are not ready to take a risk unless the building is vacated and communicated this to NDMC.”
Singla had earlier told TOI that the company had written to NDMC in 2017 itself about the building being certified as ‘unsafe to use’. “After the August 11 incident and on receipt of our correspondence, NDMC directed the local police on August 13 to cordon off the building, but nothing happened,” claimed Singla. When TOI visited the place on August 25, people were moving freely inside the building.
According to the NDMC order, “While the roof of premises 63 has collapsed, the roof of premises 58-59 was found to be sinking. Since the buildings in Connaught Place area have been notified as heritage grade II by the Heritage Conservation Committee, it is the duty of the owner to carry out regular repair work and maintenance as per unified building bylaws.”
The civic body also asked police to have the building vacated and to investigate whether the roof collapse was due to mischief or sabotage. The local police, however, maintained they could only assist NDMC in emptying the building. “We clarified this to NDMC in mid-August. After that, we have not received any fresh orders or directions,” said a Delhi Police officer.